Forum Help

If you want to ask about changing your username, have login problems, have password problems or a technical issue please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

Posting help:

If you want to ask why a word can't be typed, your signature's been changed, or a post has been deleted see the Forum Rules. If you don't find the answer you can ask forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com though due to volumes we can't guarantee replies.

Login to MSE Forum

Join the MSE Forum

Skimlinks adds tracking to some, primarily retailers' links, to show they come from this forum. For some retailers, instead of using Skimlinks to turn the link into a tracked link, we use affiliated links set up through other third parties. Then if it generates revenue from that, this site is paid. The links don't change the content, or what you see or track individual data ? but they do help fund this free forum. So we hope you choose to switch it on. See the full Skimlinks factsheet for more.

It must be a nice compliment but I fear it is just a sign of the retailers getting smarter - rather than trying to rubbish you and MSE.com they now shower you with praise and similarly tell us all what saavy consumers we are.

However a recent piece (may have been on the BBC) looked at recent price increases in the UK and Europe to try and see why we were suffering higher inflation than other countries and even after adjusting for exchange rate movements the conclusion was that the British retail environment had actually become less competitive in the last couple of years with retailer margins increasing.

So from me it is 2 cheers only - yes it is nice that companies are paying lip service to consumers rather than just treating them with contempt but the bottom line on margins tells the real story.

Just shows the power of t'internet, Martin. Not so long ago campaigners like yourself were dismissed or treated with contempt by large multi-nationals - now they're playing second fiddle! I'm far happier to see you there than the Tesco boss - all is not lost!

When I first got a tip off about this on Friday, I was sceptical, thinking it frankly rather bizarre. Yet, having read the nomination this lessoned somewhat. The ranking is far less about me and much more about the specific power of the users of MoneySavingExpert.com and the general power of consumers across the UK.

”

I don't want to be pedantic (ok, maybe I do ), shouldn't that read "lessened"?

Showing my age now, but have been waiting for this since the Consumers Association was born.
Both main political parties have a stranglehold on their particular sector, time for the Consumer to use his strength.
Maybe unfair, but pick a bad product or a bad company or bad labour practice and boycott.
It happens now on a small scale just make it bigger.

I'd swear I read somewhere that the phrase "the customer is always right" was only said by one manager for one particular store - sorry cant remember details! - but somehow this has become generalised to be applied to every company...
only mention it as Martin used the phrase and I don't believe its ever been the case!

The Grocer magazine ... sounds like something from "have I got news for you".

Sorry I seem to have mislaid my copy, and you shop at Morrisons? is that an advert in itself, and you get no VIP treatment either?

I wouldn't let the statement go to my head, there is far more to retail than Tesco! especially international. It's nice to be acknowledged and when fame & celebrity beckons & everyone's raising their Champagne glasses and toasting you it's good to remember that this can change and you become old hat and someone else takes the mantel.

From Mr average here I'd step back and see it for what it is. The person has made a hyperbole statement and you are on a high.
There many advice workers in CABs etc giving out good info too, the MSE is a great site but not the alpha-omega.

The Grocer magazine ... sounds like something from "have I got news for you".

Sorry I seem to have mislaid my copy, and you shop at Morrisons? is that an advert in itself, and you get no VIP treatment either?

I wouldn't let the statement go to my head, there is far more to retail than Tesco! especially international. It's nice to be acknowledged and when fame & celebrity beckons & everyone's raising their Champagne glasses and toasting you it's good to remember that this can change and you become old hat and someone else takes the mantel.

From Mr average here I'd step back and see it for what it is. The person has made a hyperbole statement and you are on a high.
There many advice workers in CABs etc giving out good info too, the MSE is a great site but not the alpha-omega.

Not sure you can call my morrisons comment about horrendous queues an ad. Why do I go there (and not for main shop)- its next door to MSE towers, so like most people geographical contiguity is the biggest reason.

As for The Grocer - actually it is the main trade press for supermarkets and well respected. Don't worry this won't go to my head, as noted in the blog I thought it a bonkers pick at first - this is a symbolic pick as they needed an individual to represent consumers in the power 100 rather than a person one for me (ps and if you think 'yeah right' having seen the pick of me in the NOTW in a crown and on a throne over this - that's all photoshop - nowt to do with me!)

Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.

How this site works

We think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of the site. We're a journalistic website and aim to provide the best MoneySaving guides, tips, tools and techniques, but can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong.

This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service.

We don't AS a general policy investigate the solvency of companies mentioned (how likely they are to go bust), but there is a risk any company can struggle and it's rarely made public until it's too late (see the section 75 guide for protection tips).

We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content.

Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion.

MoneySavingExpert.com is part of the MoneySupermarket Group, but is entirely editorially independent. Its stance of putting consumers first is protected and enshrined in the legally-binding MSE Editorial Code.